Energy Minister Chris Bowen has refused to release the Snowy Hydro 2.0 cost reassessment, defying a formal order from the Senate to do so today.

On 14 October 2026, the Senate passed an Order for the Production of Documents requiring Minister Bowen to produce Snowy Hydro Ltd’s cost reassessment report by midday today.

The deadline has passed. The reassessment has not been tabled.

Snowy Hydro Ltd made an announcement last week about the mega project’s $25 billion budget blowout, but the actual cost reassessment report has not been publicly released.

The full cost reassessment for Snowy 2.0 is yet to be released, despite Mr Bowen saying in a radio interview on 26 May 2026, “When I’ve got it, I’ll release it.”

Instead of the full cost reassessment report being released like Mr Bowen promised, Snowy Hydro Ltd released a glossy PR brochure, “Project Benefits Analysis”.

Shadow Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction Dan Tehan said Labor was hiding from transparency.

“In May, Chris Bowen promised he would make Snowy 2.0’s cost reassessment report public. He’s yet to do so,” Mr Tehan said.

“The Senate has ordered Chris Bowen to produce this important report into his maladministration; little wonder he’s keeping it secret.

“Chris Bowen should apologise to Australian taxpayers and resign.”

ENDS

Media contact: Phil Connole M | 0417 063 605